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The Broncos don’t have a quarterback today. If their game against the Saints had been played on Monday, several quarterbacks could have come back from the COVID-19 list. However, the league refused to delay the game for a day.
According to a league source, the Broncos tried unsuccessfully on Saturday to persuade the NFL to postpone the game until Monday night.
The attempt included a vigorous effort by team president Joe Ellis, general manager John Elway and coach Vic Fangio to persuade the league to give them a one-day delay. While some have suggested that the team’s continued lack of ownership has hampered the effort, Elway has his juice; he is part of the league competition committee.
Even though Denver was run by an influential owner, the game was not moving. The league has made it clear that games will not be delayed for competitive reasons and that only an ongoing and uncontained outbreak (as in Baltimore) will buy time.
The goal became: (1) COVID-19 security; and (2) involve matches. As long as any outbreak is over, the games will be played – even if one of the teams doesn’t have a quarterback, no offensive linemen, whatever.
While the absence of key players (especially blockers) may increase the physical risk to other players during matches, this consideration has been dropped – if ever it was. Once the league knows it is safe to play from a pandemic perspective, football will be played with whoever is available to play.
Except, as the Broncos have learned, assistant coaches or other non-players.
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